One more stream with the paradox you described is Western neopaganism, best articulated by Theosophy (which I researched). But it has a twist.
Theosophy is completely antisemitic by your definition. It has a spiritual caste system that includes conventional racism. It has a Plan (sic, capital P, divinely dictated) for eliminating Orthodox Jewish faith from the world, and for freeing Christianity from its influence.
Yet this faith system is sold as pure semitism. It promises to be the ultimate liberator of humanity. They have countless people working for Love and Light, for a world where all "people of good will" are invited to ascend to a new plane of unified harmony. No more slavery or cruelty or conquest.
That new age will begin as soon as some "world problems" are resolved, in order to allow what they call right human relations. Theosophist Alice Bailey, the patron saint of the UN, named four such problems: National borders / fear of death / sexual attraction / the Jews.
Just thought I would mention that. Judging from current trends, the Light-Workers are making splendid progress on all four.
I've just read parts 1, 2 & 3, since I knew nothing about the Akkadian empire, and very little about the Roman church. Quite an education, and you anticipated some of my objections. So thank you for all that research!
One thing I wish you had written about was the moral value system of ancient antisemites - using your definition of dehumanizing enslavement and cruelty. All civilizations tend to identify spiritual Evil and (at least claim to) fight it on behalf of Good. Even materialistic atheists, who don't expect to be rewarded in a next life, still live by a good-vs-evil code of conduct.
I assume the Assyrians, Greeks and Romans needed more to live for than brutalizing everyone else for fun and profit. The Roman laws were fair to Roman citizens, and unlike Greece, Roman slaves could gain their freedom and become citizens.
We know that Nazism had a racist answer to the great source of moral Evil: The Jews. And the jihadis have the same answer. But I'm not sure all those who you class as antisemites singled out the Jewish morality as an Evil to stamp out. Alexander didn't outlaw Jewish practice, although a later successor did. The Soviets went after the Jews but kept the morality of liberated slaves (repackaged).
Nor is it clear to me why the jihadis think (or the Nazis thought) that the Jews sabotage their plans more than other semites would. You don't find Nazi or Muslim literature raining curses on the Zoroastrians.
Francisco, is "PART 4: Rabbi Hillel the Elder, the LOVE revolution in ancient Judaism, and the ethical core of Western Civilization" misnumbered? There was already "How did the Church become both Jewish and Greco-Roman? Paul did that. [SEMITISM vs. ANTISEMITISM Part 4]".
Thank you sir! Maybe the fact I lived some of my life in Iran and India helped me acquire some of the outlook of the ‘others’ who were the victims of Alexander’s endless aggressions.
I am baffled by the popularity even today of Alexander. All I have ever seen in him is an egotistical mass murderer who sought to conquer all of the known world.
I agree with you on the judgment you make of Alexander. However, to understand his popularity, you must remember that our teachers all extolled him as a wonderful guy. It really is difficult to go against that kind of grain. When every source of intellectual authority, from grade school and all the way to university, tell you that Alexander was just the most wonderful human being ever, BECAUSE he spread Greek culture (allegedly the best culture ever), which culture you are enjoined to praise because it is your PARENT culture, well then you are mostly defenseless. Because they have inserted Alexander into your very identity and self-esteem.
I love Tolkien’s books. The Hamas terrorists remind me of the Orcs in the Lord of the Rings. I am looking forward to your interview tonight with John Haller and Tom Hughes. The first time I heard you give an interview you captured my attention and admiration for your observations on history and the clear lens you see history through.
One more stream with the paradox you described is Western neopaganism, best articulated by Theosophy (which I researched). But it has a twist.
Theosophy is completely antisemitic by your definition. It has a spiritual caste system that includes conventional racism. It has a Plan (sic, capital P, divinely dictated) for eliminating Orthodox Jewish faith from the world, and for freeing Christianity from its influence.
Yet this faith system is sold as pure semitism. It promises to be the ultimate liberator of humanity. They have countless people working for Love and Light, for a world where all "people of good will" are invited to ascend to a new plane of unified harmony. No more slavery or cruelty or conquest.
That new age will begin as soon as some "world problems" are resolved, in order to allow what they call right human relations. Theosophist Alice Bailey, the patron saint of the UN, named four such problems: National borders / fear of death / sexual attraction / the Jews.
Just thought I would mention that. Judging from current trends, the Light-Workers are making splendid progress on all four.
I've just read parts 1, 2 & 3, since I knew nothing about the Akkadian empire, and very little about the Roman church. Quite an education, and you anticipated some of my objections. So thank you for all that research!
One thing I wish you had written about was the moral value system of ancient antisemites - using your definition of dehumanizing enslavement and cruelty. All civilizations tend to identify spiritual Evil and (at least claim to) fight it on behalf of Good. Even materialistic atheists, who don't expect to be rewarded in a next life, still live by a good-vs-evil code of conduct.
I assume the Assyrians, Greeks and Romans needed more to live for than brutalizing everyone else for fun and profit. The Roman laws were fair to Roman citizens, and unlike Greece, Roman slaves could gain their freedom and become citizens.
We know that Nazism had a racist answer to the great source of moral Evil: The Jews. And the jihadis have the same answer. But I'm not sure all those who you class as antisemites singled out the Jewish morality as an Evil to stamp out. Alexander didn't outlaw Jewish practice, although a later successor did. The Soviets went after the Jews but kept the morality of liberated slaves (repackaged).
Nor is it clear to me why the jihadis think (or the Nazis thought) that the Jews sabotage their plans more than other semites would. You don't find Nazi or Muslim literature raining curses on the Zoroastrians.
Francisco, is "PART 4: Rabbi Hillel the Elder, the LOVE revolution in ancient Judaism, and the ethical core of Western Civilization" misnumbered? There was already "How did the Church become both Jewish and Greco-Roman? Paul did that. [SEMITISM vs. ANTISEMITISM Part 4]".
Thank you sir! Maybe the fact I lived some of my life in Iran and India helped me acquire some of the outlook of the ‘others’ who were the victims of Alexander’s endless aggressions.
I am baffled by the popularity even today of Alexander. All I have ever seen in him is an egotistical mass murderer who sought to conquer all of the known world.
I agree with you on the judgment you make of Alexander. However, to understand his popularity, you must remember that our teachers all extolled him as a wonderful guy. It really is difficult to go against that kind of grain. When every source of intellectual authority, from grade school and all the way to university, tell you that Alexander was just the most wonderful human being ever, BECAUSE he spread Greek culture (allegedly the best culture ever), which culture you are enjoined to praise because it is your PARENT culture, well then you are mostly defenseless. Because they have inserted Alexander into your very identity and self-esteem.
And that is how historical reality is managed...
Extremely interesting. A truly different perspective on history that presents a cohesive view of an ongoing war.
Yes, a war that has been going on for 4,300 years. It's like Tolkien... (Tolkien is only slightly metaphorical, as it turns out...)
https://franciscogilwhite.substack.com/p/semitism-vs-antisemitism-structure-of-history
I love Tolkien’s books. The Hamas terrorists remind me of the Orcs in the Lord of the Rings. I am looking forward to your interview tonight with John Haller and Tom Hughes. The first time I heard you give an interview you captured my attention and admiration for your observations on history and the clear lens you see history through.